A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away, Part 64

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 902

USA > California > A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away > Part 64

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Charles P. Vicini was educated in Santa Clara College and read law in the office of Armstrong & Hinkson, under whose direction he continued his studies for two years. He spent one year in the office of Caminetti & McGee, in San Francisco, after which he came to Jackson and was for some time a student in the office of Caminetti & Rust, the former a member of congress and the latter the supreme judge of Amador county at the present time. Mr. Vicini was admitted to practice before the supreme court of the state on the 3d of May, 1892, and entered into partnership with Judge Rust. the connection continuing until the senior member was elevated to the bench, since which time our subject has carried on a general law practice alone. He has acquired an excellent reputation as a talented and well-read attorney. In November, 1898, he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of district attorney, in which position he has since served.

On the 22d of November, 1892, Mr. Vicini was united in marriage to Miss Frances A. Hoit, a native of Sacramento, and they now have a little son, Hoit C. Mr. and Mrs. Vicini are members of the organization known as the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West, and the Native Sons and Daughters of California, and he is a past president of his parlor. He also belongs to both blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity. He is a man of high scholarly attainments whose prominence at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability. Socially he is deservedly popular, for he is affable and courteous in manner and possesses that faculty so necessary to success in pub- lic life,-that of making friends readily and of strengthening the ties of friendship as time advances.

JOHN SPAULDING.

John Spaulding is the general superintendent of the South Yuba Water Company. In this land of perpetual sunshine it is often found necessary to em- ploy a system of irrigation to make the soil productive. Nature, however,

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has furnished an abundant water supply in the mountains and enterprising men have utilized such resources so that much of the land has been reclaimed for the purpose of cultivation. An active factor in this great work is the South Yuba Water Company, of which John Spaukling is the efficient and capable superintendent. He came to California in 1855, but in the early days was a placer miner and stage driver of the Sierra Nevada country, a man fertile and shrewd in his resources. His practical knowledge of the possi- bilities of this region and everything pertaining to either mining or water, combined with his knowledge and his ability to control men, brought him to the front in the planning and building of the great water system with which he has been connected from its inception up to the present time. In this way he has become the counselor of many millionaires, and has become widely known among people whose wealth is much less. All entertain for him the highest regard, and he is lovingly and familiarly called "Uncle John" throughout this section of California.

Mr. Spaulding was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, April 18. 1831, and represents a family of German origin that was early founded in Vermont. His father, Isaac Spaukling, was born and reared in the Green Mountain state and there married Miss Charlotte Killborn, who also was a native of Vermont and was descended from one of the old and highly respected families of that portion of the country. Removing to St. Lawrence county, New York, they became industrious and worthy farming people of the Empire state. The father served his country as a solidier in the war of 1812, and lived to be ninety-three years of age, while his good wife attained the age of ninety-seven years. Ile was twice married and by the first union he had three sons and two daughters, while by his marriage to our subject's mother he had two sons,-Walace and John. John owns a tract of land and a fine summer resort at Seigler Springs, in Lake county. The latter is well pat- ronized and the land has been converted into an excellent farm, yiekling a rich return for the cultivation bestowed upon it.

In 1868 John Spaulding was happily married to Mrs. Gerrett. of San Fran- cisco, and their union was blessed with three children,-Mabel R., Charles K. and J. W. In 1807 the wife and mother was called to her final rest, after a long and harmonious married life. She was an estimable lady. pos- sessed of many excellent characteristics and was very devoted to her family, and her loss was deeply felt by husband, children and friends.

In the early days of his residence in California Mr. Spaulding engaged in driving a stage from Sacramento through Auburn to Dutch Flat, continuing that work from 1858 until 1862. He had charge of the Wells-Fargo stage across the mountains, and had the oversight of the five hundred head of horses which at one time were used in the stage business controlled by that company. Subsequently he was engaged in the construction of water works m San Mater county, and in 1875 he went to Shasta county, where he engaged m mining. The following year, however, he came to Auburn and took charge of the development of the great water-works system belonging to the South Yuba Water Company, a system which has been built and developed by him

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until it now has over four hundred miles of canal, flumes, pipe lines, etc .. and covers Nevada and Placer counties. The source of water supply comes from the summit of the mountains and includes nineteen large lakes and reser- voirs. The latter are fortified with excellent dams and are of immense ex- tent and capacity, controlling the future drainage of the entire slope. The reservoirs cover about fifteen hundred acres of land and have a capacity of fif- teen billion gallons of water. One of the largest of these was named in honor of Mr. Spaulding. Because of the possibility of filling these reservoirs often during the season it is estimated that they have a capacity of one hunded and fifty billion gallons of water. This immense quantity of water is used for mining, for power, for supplying the country and towns with a water supply and for irregating purposes, and is of inestimable value to the district to which it is carried, as well as being a source of much revenue to its projectors and owners. Mr. Spaulding has been the superintendent of this immense and important industry for the past twenty-four years and has proved him- self to be a man of the highest ability in this line of work. In all his business relations he is straightforward and his dealings are above question.

He has been a Republican since the organization of the party, but has never been active in politics nor in secret societies, preferring to give his entire attention to his business.

WALLACE KAY.

As a representative of the class of substantial builders of great common- wealths who have served faithfully and long in the enterprising west, we present the subject of this sketch, who is numbered among the pioneers of Jackson, Amador county, and who has ever nobly aided in establishing and maintaining the material interests, legal status and moral welfare of the community. Though he has passed the seventieth milestone on the journey of life, he is yet actively connected with business affairs in Jackson and is the pioneer photographer in Amador county, having taken up his abode here in the year 1855.

Mr. Kay was born in Massachusetts, on the 18th of December, 1828, and is a representative of an old English family. His father, William Kay. was born, reared and married in England, the lady of his choice being Ellen Entwissel. In 1825 he emigrated with his wife and two children to the new world and spent his last days at Fall River, Massachusetts, where his death occurred, in 1837, when he had attained the age of forty-seven years. His wife passed away at the ripe old age of ninety-five years. They had eight chil- dren, of whom six are still living, one brother, William R. Kay, being a resident of Jackson, while a sister is living in New Jersey. The others, with the exception of the subject of this review, are still residents of Massachusetts.

Wallace Kay, the fourth of the family, was only eight years of age at the time of the father's death. He was then thrown upon his own resources and has since depended upon his efforts for a livelihood. His business career has been marked by honor and integrity, and though he has met with

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many hardships and difficulties he has always enjoyed the respect of his fel- low men. He was first employed in a print factory, his work being to spread the colors with which the prints were made, and for his services the little lad received a dollar per week. He made his home with his mother and for three hours each day he, together with the other employes of the factory, were instructed in the English branches of learning. It was thus he secured his education. Ile remained in the factory until his twentieth year, being promoted from time to time through its various departments, his wages being correspondingly increased until at the time he left the establishment he was receiving a dollar per day. Ile then spent three years as an apprentice at the machinist's trade and later worked as a journeyman in different shops, earn- ing a dollar and seventy-five cents per day. He next took Horace Greeley's advice and came west to grow up with the country. for the gold fields of Cali- fornia were then attracting many young men to the Pacific slope. He sailed from New York on the 5th of October and landed at San Francisco twenty- five days later, made his way up the river to Sacramento and thence by stage to Jackson.

On the toth of June, 1860. Mr. Kay was united in marriage, at Sutter Creek, to Miss Electa Jane Harding, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Amos Harding, of that state. She had come to California only a short time previously and here she met and wedded Mr. Kay. Their union was blessed with seven children, five of whom are living, namely: Emma, the wife of Walter Judson, of Lincoln. Placer county, California : Eva D., now the wife of Herman D. Tripp, who is the superintendent of the mine at Sumdum, Alaska; Henry Edwin; and Inga and Alma Roberta, at home. They have a delight- ful and commodious residence on one of the beautiful hills in the picturesque town of Jackson and enjoy the warm friendship of many of the best people of this locality.

For four years after his arrival in the town Mr. Kay engaged in placer- mining, but met with only a moderate degree of success, and in 1859 began photographic work by taking ambrotype pictures. Many indeed are the changes and improvements which have been made in the science of photography since that time, vet he has always kept abreast with the progress made and now has a well equipped art gallery, supplied with the latest appliances and con- veniences for doing first-class work. He gives excellent satisfaction to his patrons and derives from his business a good income, yet prices are very much lower than when he first opened his gallery, for he now sells cabinet photographs at two dollars a dozen and other work in proportion.

Mr. Kay has been a very active and valued member of the Masonic fraternity for the past thirty years, having been raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Jackson in 1869. For nine years he has filled the office of master in the lodge, has served in all the different offices of the chapter and for two terms was its high priest. He has also been representative to the grand lodge of the state, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star, in which she has the honor of being past matron. Mr. Kay cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and has since continued

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steadfast in his political faith, doing all in his power to advance the welfare of the party. His upright methods of dealing and his reliable judgment in all matters of public interest have won for him a place of distinction among the leading men of his adopted country and in the history of northern California he well deserves mention.

SAMUEL W. BRIGHT.

Among the residents of Jackson, Amador county, who have long made their homes in California is Samuel Wales Bright, whose boyhood days were spent on the Atlantic coast. He was born in Massachusetts, on the 27th of May, 1831, and is of English lineage. His grandfather, Jesse Bright, was a native of England and became the progenitor of the family in the United States. He crossed the briny deep and established a home in Massachusetts, where he carried on agricultural pursuits. He had six children, four sons and two daughters, and two of the number still survive, Warren and Bobbie D., the former eighty years of age and the latter about seventy, both resi- dents of Massachusetts. Michael Bright, the father of our subject, was born in the old Bay state, in 1804. and having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Alvira Richards. They made their home in Massachusetts, where they were honest and industrious farming people and enjoyed the respect of friends and neighbors. The mother was a member of the Baptist church, and he was a man of high moral character, being accounted one of the valued citizens of the com- munity in which he resided. He passed away in the sixty-fifth year of his age, and his wife was called to her final rest when fifty years of age. In their family were eleven children, six of whom are now living.

Mr. Bright, their eldest child, was educated in the public schools of his native town and there learned the two trades of shoemaking and butchering. In 1851 he took passage on the Philadelphia, bound for California, and by way of the isthmus route came to this state, landing at San Francisco on the Ioth of December of that year. He made his way direct to Mokehunne Hill, and on the 20th of the same month began mining on his own account, but, not meeting with the success he had anticipated, he turned his attention to the dairy business, owning twenty cows. He did the milking and then sold the milk among the people of the locality, receiving three dollars a gallon. Corn meal was then the principal mill product that could be obtained, and twenty-five cents a pound was paid for it. Mr. Bright continued in the dairy business for two years, and then began butchering at West Point, in Sandy Gulch. It was a rich gulch, where many miners were engaged in the search for the precious metal, and he there conducted three shops, meeting with excellent success. He also became connected with mining interests, employing others, however, to do the practical work. In 1858 he sold his butchering business and for two years gave his attention to quartz-mining. In 1860 he came to Jackson where he purchased the meat market of the Wiley Brothers and for forty years he has conducted his present store, enjoying a large and profitable trade. He has a very wide acquaintance among the old settlers of this section of the

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state and has through long years supplied their tables with choice meats at rea- sonable prices. His honorable business methods and his earnest desire to please secure for him a very liberal patronage and he derives therefrom a comfortable competence. He has been connected with mining interests from the time he located here and is still the owner of considerable mining stock. He has also made judicious investments in real estate and now owns a number of busi- ness blocks and dwellings in Jackson, being accounted one of the well-to-do citizens of the place. In 1862, when a disastrous fire swept over the town, his losses amounted to four thousand dollars, for he had no insurance upon his property. This did not discourage him, however, for with renewed effort he continued his work and soon regained all that he had lost.

In December, 1861, Mr. Bright was united in marriage to Miss Martha T. Bradbury, a native of the state of Maine. They have lost their only child. a little son, who died at the age of ten months. Mr. Bright has been a life-long Republican, having east his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has kept well informed on the issues of the day, yet has never sought office nor has he joined either fraternal or religious organizations. He has depended entirely upon his own efforts for his advancement in life, and his worth and ability have commended him to the public confidence and therefore to the public support. As a citizen he is interested in whatever pertains to the wel- fare of his town, county and state, and has contributed to many interests which have advanced the material, social, intellectual and moral welfare of Jackson.

GEORGE F. HUBER.

George Frederick Huber, an enterprising business man of Anburn, Cali- fornia, and one of the trustees of the city, is a native of Germany, born on the 19th of January, 1848, in the state of Wurtemberg. His father, George .Adam Huber, still lives in the old country, and is now eighty-four years of age. He is a member of the Lutheran church, as also was his wife, Mary Elizabeth Huber, who died in 1873. The Hubers as far back as their history is known were residents of Germany.

George F. Huber passed the first fifteen years of his life in his native land, receiving a good common-school education there. In 1863. at the age of fifteen, he came to America, stopping first, for a short time, in Detroit, Michigan, where he had an uncle. From Michigan he came direct to California. Like most newcomers to this state at that early day, he first tried his luck in the mines, his first venture being on the American river, where he met with fair success. Later he bought a farm in Eldorado county, on which he settled and where he carried on farming operations for sixteen years. At the end Hi that time he came to Auburn. Ilere he opened a bakery and a little later engaged also in the liquor business, both wholesale and retail, and from the first he was successful in his business at this place. He erected and owns the building in which his bakery and wholesale and retail liquor store are located. Also he is interested in mining operations. He is a stockhokler and

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the president and superintendent of the Gold Slide Mining Company, with property on the American river.

Politically Mr. Huber has been a Democrat ever since he has been a voter. During his residence on his ranch he took a deep interest in educational affairs and for a number of years served his district. In the spring of 1900 he was elected one of the trustees of the city of Auburn.

Mr. Huber was happily married, in 1870, to Miss Susan Byer, a native of Germany, and they have one daughter, Mary, who is now the wife of D. W. Fairchild, of Auburn.

Mrs. Huber is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Huber was reared in the Lutheran faith, but is not identified with any church. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1874 and is also a member of the I. O. R. M.

FRED SUTTON.

Fred Sutton, who is actively associated with the business interests of Sonora and is a member of the city board of trustees, was born in Cambridge- shire, England, December 25, 1853, and is descended from an old English family. His father, Moses Sutton, was born in Cambridgeshire, September 5, 1821, and spent the days of his childhood and youth in that country. Arriv- ing at the years of maturity, he wedded Miss Mary Hall, and unto them were born twelve children ere they left the "merrie isle." In 1869 the family came to the new world, locating at Lockport, New York, and the following year emigrated to Sonora, California. Subsequently, however, the father and part of his children returned to Illinois, where he purchased a farm and there spent his remaining days, departing this life October 29. 1897, at the age of seventy-six years. His estimable wife passed away in Illinois, September 24, 1881, when fifty-eight years of age. They were Episcopalians in their religious faith, and in the various communities in which they resided they were held in high esteem. Representatives of the family still reside in Illinois, while Charles Sutton is a farmer of Tuolumne county, California.

Fred Sutton, the subject of this review, pursued his education in the schools of England and in Lockport, New York, and for sixteen years he was engaged in general merchandising in connection with his uncle, Josiah Hall. Since coming to Sonora he has engaged in mining and has also been interested in the real-estate and insurance business. He is now one of the owners of the Excelsior mine, the Street mine, the Gross mine and the Bell mine. The Excelsior mine has produced four hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Mr. Sutton is a man of excellent business ability and of resourceful capacity, and his efforts have not been limited to one line. He is now the agent for the Firemen's Fund, a fire-insurance company of San Francisco, and for a number of other reliable companies. He is also actively engaged in the real- estate business in Sonora, and in this line of business he has contributed not a little to the substantial upbuilding and legitimate progress of the attractive city in which he makes his home. In all his dealings he is thoroughly reliable. his name being synonymous with integrity in business affairs.

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In his political views Mr. Sutton is a Democrat. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, and was elected a trustee of his town in 1900, and is now filling that position with ability and fidelity. Socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Sonora, in which he is serving as a keeper of the records and seals. He is also a member of the Chosen Friends, in which organization he is holding the office of counselor. With every advance movement in the town during the period of his residence here he has been prom- inently identified, being recognized as one of the leading and most enterprising business men of the place, and as one who has contributed liberally, and with enthusiasm, to every cause which has had as its object the growth and pros- perity of Sonora.

WALTER EDWIN KENT.

One of the enterprising, wide-awake and progressive merchants of Jack- son is Mr. Kent, a native son of California, his birth having occurred in San Francisco, on the 26th of December, 1854. His ancestors resided in New Eng- land. Ilis father, Edwin A. Kent, was a native of New Hampshire and in August, 1849, took up his abode in San Francisco. He was born July 15, 1824. and was educated in Boston, Massachusetts. At length he determined to seek a home in the land of gold and on a sailing vessel rounded Cape Horn. Ile became a resident of Nevada City, where he owned considerable property and was also interested in a water ditch. In 1856 he removed thence to Amador county, residing in Volcano and Jackson most of the time until his death, which occurred in 1800, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. In San Francisco he was married to Miss Abbie F. Ward, a native of Salem, Massa- chusetts, and five chikiren blessed their union, of whom four are living, namely : Edwin W .. Eva 1 .. , Amy F. and Mrs. W. E. Agard, the last named now a resident of San Diego. All are respected citizens of the communities in which they reside.

Walter Edwin Kent, the eldest of the family, was educated in Amador county and began life on his own account as a clerk in the general mercan- tile store owned by 1. Newman & Company, of Jackson. He remained with them for five years, becoming an expert salesman and acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business. At length he determined to embark in merchan- dising on his own account, and in 1882 entered into partnership with J. M. Levy, opening a store in Jackson. They conducted the enterprise for six and a half years, and on the expiration of that period Mr. Kent soll his interest to his partner and leased the Globe Hotel, which he conducted for two years. lle then opened his present grocery and provision store, and has carried on operations there with excellent success, having gained an enviable reputation as a prompt, reliable, enrgetic and honorable merchant. In 1890, upon the death of his father, he assumed control of his father's undertaking business, in partnership with J. A. Butterfield, and in that enterprise they are meeting with well earned success.

Mr. Kent was happily married in 1888, to Miss Nellie 1. Keeney, a native

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of Amador county, by whom he has three children,-Vivian Blanche : Loring Edwin and Ward Foster. Mr. Kent belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies and the Independent Order of Foresters, and in these organizations he has filled various offices. He is also connected with the Native Sons of the Golden West, in which he is a past president. His political support has ever been given the Republican party and he is most earnest in his advocacy of its principles, yet has never sought or desired public office. He has made a good record as a business man and citizen, being at all times reliable and upright. That his warmest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his life has been a useful and active one. worthy of the highest regard.

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A Volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of northern California, including biographies of many of those who have passed away, Part 64

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 902

Author: Standard Genealogical Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Standard Genealogical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 902